Reading with a chance of tacos

Today's guest was a school teacher, a fairy, an illustrator, and now an author with her very own name right there on the front cover. The book is titled, The Secret of Sapling Green. It's a beautiful picture book, and to tell us all about it is the author/illustrator, the amazing Penelope Pratley.

Today's guest started in the industry as an educational editor and occasional writer of short stories, before making a pact with friends over dinner to write a full novel and get it published. Well, get it published she did – with major publishing houses all over the world and it's out in stores today. To tell us all about this amazing book and her journey to publication, as well as tips on the cr...

Today's guest teachers professional writing at Swinburn University in Melbourne, is a former Chair of Writers Victoria, and is the author of over 400 books for kids, many award-winning and many with the world's leading educational publishers. So, he's the ideal person to talk on today's topic. How to write non-fiction for kids. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Nic Brasch.

Top Tips for illustrating picture books  – what tools are needed, how to use them, what to show in your portfolio, how to find and build rapport with  publishers . All this and more in our interview with the amazingly talented and prolific illustrator, Jess Racklyeft.  Today's guest started out working in publishing as a book seller, before moving in to creating her very own award-winning books fo...

Today's guest is an author/illustrator writing about her love of the ocean in the incredible Fish Kid series. To tell us all about her amazing journey, share some writing and illustrating advice with us is Kylie Howarth. Our second guest today is another picture book author with a beautiful book right on target for Christmas. It's titled, Star. And to tell us all about it, please welcome Artelle L...

Today's guest is a first-time picture book author, who cleverly did her homework, and saw that a particular publisher didn't have a Christmas book on their list. So, set about writing one. And, she's popped in to tell us her story, share some things she's learned, and talk about this awesome and funny picture book, perfect for the family and right on time for Christmas. Ladies and Gentlemen, 'tis...

Today's guest started out as a music journalist, writing articles on hard rock gigs, before marrying a lead singer of a band, having a baby and swapping the mosh-pit for toys, tantrums and penning children's books. Her latest book, Toy Mountain is out now and to tell us all about it, along with empowering kids to care for the environment and tips on writing your text visually, it's the wonderful,...

Today's guest started out as a music journalist, writing articles on hard rock gigs, before marrying a lead singer of a band, having a baby and swapping the mosh-pit for toys, tantrums and penning children's books. Her latest book, Toy Mountain is out now and to tell us all about it, along with empowering kids to care for the environment and tips on writing your text visually, it's the wonderful,...

Today's guest is an award-winning author/illustrator who thinks a lot about plants, animals, books and equality. And, when she's not thinking about these things, she's turning them into wonderful, kind-hearted, soulful expressions of art and amazing picture books. Her latest book with Hardie Grant is four beautiful books in one (now there's a deal for you). And, I can't wait to talk about it with...

Today's guest is an award-winning author of picture books and only picture books. She is super passionate about the genre that she won't write anything else. Don't even bother asking her. It's picture books that make her heart sing. And, her own picture books have been described as 'love-filled', 'goose-bumpling', and 'achingly beautiful'. And I'll go one more and say 'hilarious!' She's the author...

Today's guest is an award-winning journalist who has recently turned her hand to writing picture books. She's an experienced writer who has discovered an obsession for picture books, but as many people know, picture book writing is a skill all to itself. So, she's popped in today to share with us the challenges, the frustrations, and all the highs and lows of learning a whole new craft. And, hopef...

Today's guest is a recipient of the Davitt Award and the Aurealis Award for Best Children's Fiction. Since her breakout novel, Feeling sorry for Celia, she's been a professional writer for over 20 years. She's here today to share her journey with us of positive role models, self doubt, being original in your writing, and to talk about her new book from the super successful Kingdoms and Empires Ser...

G'day and welcome to Reading with a chance of tacos. On today's show we've got the Author of Mozzies verses Flies. We talk about one of the most important things aspiring authors need to know. And, that is, a good story is not enough. You need a great idea! And, Ava and Pepe are back later in the show with an awesome review of a brand new book from Allen and Unwin.

Today's guest is a picture book author, a podcast host and incurable bookworm. She loves books about women who change the world. And, why wouldn't she, her great-grand mother was one such amazing woman. So much so, that Kate's latest book, titled, Anzac Girl is all about her great-grand mother. To tell us all about it, and to share her journey and much wisdom on the craft of penning picture books,...

Today's guest grew up in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Australia. She did correspondence lessons with Katherine School of the Air. When she got older, she moved to the big smoke, studied graphic design, and became a children's book illustrator. Her latest book is the hilarious Mary Had a Little Lamb. What Really Happened. The real story behind the nursery rhyme. And, she's popped in to te...

Today's guest is one of Australia's favourite children's authors since Chicken Stu hit bookstores in 2010. His latest series, The Nerd Herd has taken kids and adults by storm all over the country.  He's popped in today for a taco, to tell us all about the much awaited Book 3 of the Nerd Herd series, as well share his writing journey and some valuable writing tips on staying focussed and writing gr...

Today's guest is a bookseller extraordinaire. She has owned and ran successful bookshops for over 20 years. Her current store is the very popular Fairfield Bookshop, here in Melbourne. A lot of her selling is predominantly kids books, so she's agreed to pop in for a taco and a chat about the very important process of how authors get their books into stores, what new and aspiring creators should do...

Today's guest is the author and illustrator of popular picture books such as I just ate My friend , There's no such thing! and Baz and Benz . Her latest picture book is titled, We found a cat, and it's absolutely hilarious. She's popped in today to tell us all about it, as well as to share her writing journey, and how she goes about writing and illustrating picture books, so please give a huge che...

Today's guest is a real-life book fairy. Her magical powers include turning coffee into international award-winning books. She has shortlisted twice in the CBCA Picture Book of the Year Awards. And, is dedicated to encouraging a strong love of reading in children. Ladies and gentlemen, she's popped in today to share her new book and a whole lot of writing advice and adventure with us. So, please g...

Today's guest is an international Kid lit superstar! Together with illustrator, Terry Denton, he has built 143-Storeys of comedy mayhem that has sold over 10 million copies and is about to sell a few more. That's right, the next Treehouse book is out today and it's an absolute ripping read. So, to tell us all about it and what it was like behind the scenes, please give a huge cheer for the amazing...

Today's guest describes himself as a big kid with a beard. He loves potatoes, his wonderful wife and two dogs. However, beard or no beard, he's a rising star in Australian Picture Books with 5 awesome books in stores now and another 3 coming soon.  So, we thought we'd talk about his new book, Roary the Lion. And, also something I think will interest a lot of aspiring authors and that's putting you...

Today's guests are awesome individuals, an amazing husband and wife team, and a total disappointment to their kids. No that's not true, it's just a blurb from their latest book, Worst Week Ever! Monday. Which I have to say, is something truly special. I have no doubt this will be huge, and I can't wait to talk to them about it. So, let's not muck about. Ladies and gentlemen, give a huge cheer for...

Today's guest is oodles of fun, in fact, she's super awesome! She's toured the world performing in shows inspired by some of the world's most loved children's books. And, she's popped in today to tell us all about her popular YouTube channel, Super Awesome Storytime.  We discuss the importance of putting the fun, energy and excitement into children's books.

Today's guest is an illustrator and author who has illustrated over 30 books and written 7 of her own. Her latest book is Big Dog, Little Dog is with Sally Rippin. And, she's popped in today to discuss what it's like illustrating and writing your own work as well as developing other people's creations. Born in England, raised in Scotland, she now calls sunny Melbourne home. Please welcome direct f...

Today's guest is a mild-mannered news paper designer by day, but by night she writes and illustrates wonderfully crazy books that are perfect for kids of all ages. Her first picture book, Food or Friend was published by Larrikin House, who found her from, of all places, Instagram – called her up and said, we really like your style, here's a contract. Well, maybe not quite like that, but she's popp...